The AsterNym star registry
Asellus Borealis
Asellus Borealis: the white star of Cancer
white · Cancer · γ Cnc
Asellus Borealis is a white star, burning hotter than our own Sun in the constellation Cancer, one of the few thousand stars bright enough to carry an officially recognised name. On a dark, clear night you can find it with your own eyes.
Most stars in the sky are anonymous points of light. Asellus Borealis is not — it has held a name across generations of sky-watchers, which makes it a rare thing to attach a name of your own to.
Real star · Personal dedication · Recorded in the AsterNym registry
See what a dedicated page looks like — preview
Asellus Borealis at a glance
- Constellation
- Cancer
- Other name
- γ Cnc
- Catalogue number
- HIP 42806
- Distance
- ≈ 181 light-years
- Brightness
- Magnitude 4.66 naked-eye
- Star type
- A1IV
- Colour
- white
- Best seen from
- Almost everywhere on Earth
- Right ascension
- 08h 43m 17s
- Declination
- +21° 28′ 07″
Coordinates are J2000 epoch, checkable against any astronomical source or planetarium app.
What could a Asellus Borealis dedication represent?
Asellus Borealis is especially meaningful for someone who:
- · Deserves something older than any gift shop
- · Marks a beginning, an anniversary or a promise
- · Is remembered every time you look up
- · Has a light you want recorded somewhere permanent
Dedication idea
“For the one I think of when I find Cancer in the sky.”
Where can you see Asellus Borealis?
It sits near the celestial equator, so nearly every inhabited latitude gets a view of it at some point in the year.
Asellus Borealis belongs to Cancer.
Dedicate Asellus Borealis to someone who matters
A flower fades. A card is eventually put away. A star gives your message a place in the sky.
Your Asellus Borealis dedication includes:
- · Your chosen dedication name
- · Your personal message
- · Asellus Borealis's real astronomical coordinates
- · A shareable dedication page
- · Its location on the AsterNym Galaxy Map
- · An optional printable certificate and gift presentation
Asellus Borealis keeps its established astronomical name. Your dedication is a personal commemorative record within the AsterNym registry.
Frequently asked questions about Asellus Borealis
- Is Asellus Borealis the brightest star?
- Asellus Borealis shines at magnitude 4.66 — visible to the naked eye on a clear night, one of the few thousand stars with an officially recognised name.
- How far away is Asellus Borealis?
- Asellus Borealis is approximately 181 light-years from Earth. The light reaching us tonight began its journey around 181 years ago.
- Which constellation contains Asellus Borealis?
- Asellus Borealis is part of Cancer.
- Can everyone see Asellus Borealis?
- It sits near the celestial equator, so nearly every inhabited latitude gets a view of it at some point in the year.
- Is dedicating Asellus Borealis an official astronomical renaming?
- No. Asellus Borealis keeps its internationally recognised astronomical name. An AsterNym dedication records your personal name and message in the AsterNym registry without changing the star's scientific identity.